Failed casino bids may get second chance

Oct 11 2006

MPs could give a new lease of life to Dudley, Solihull and Coventry's super-casino bids next week.

They will be asked to to increase the number of regional casinos allowed when a Midland MP presents legislation to the Commons.

The Government has ruled that only one regional casino is to be built, and all three West Midland bids failed to make it onto the shortlist.

But MP Jim Cunningham (Lab, Coventry South) is to present legislation to the Commons which would increase the number of regional casinos to as many as ten.

His proposed amendment to the Gambling Act 2005 could give a second chance to the bids which were rejected the first time.

Blackpool, Brent, Cardiff, Glasgow, Sheffield, Greenwich, Manchester and Newcastle made the short-list for a super-casino, which could add £1 billion a year to the local economy.

If Mr Cunningham succeeds in changing the law, the eight shortlisted sites could each have a regional casino - and two failed bids could also be reconsidered.

Coventry hoped to open a casino in a 90,000 sq ft building at the Ricoh Arena, home of Coventry City Football Club.

Solihull backed a £250 million project at the NEC, with the support of Birmingham City Council.

A £50 million plan submitted by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council for a massive leisure complex in Brierley Hill, anchored by a super-casino, was also considered.

Mr Cunningham said: "I am hoping to get good support from fellow MPs for this Bill. We want to bring the number of regional casinos up to eight or possibly higher."

The proposed amendment will be heard on Tuesday.

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